As TikTok faces U.S. shutdown, here are some alternative apps to choose from
TikTok has warned of an imminent shutdown within six days, with the Supreme Court currently weighing laws to ban the app. So we thought it was time to see if other platforms could fill the TikTok-type holes in our lives.
The law gives TikTok parent company ByteDance until January 19 to divest its U.S. operations or face a ban in the country. TikTok hopes the law will be suspended, but if that doesn't happen, the app will effectively be banned in the country.
There's no 1:1 replacement for TikTok, but there are some viable options that offer a similar experience. Over the past few years, many companies have built TikTok clones into their own products, while some new companies are looking to challenge the app's dominance.
Here are different apps worth checking out:
Instagram Reels
Instagram's Reels product is arguably the most popular TikTok clone, and for good reason. Many of the videos are the same, as creators often share the same content they post on TikTok to Instagram Reels. Additionally, many popular voices and topics on TikTok end up on Instagram Reels. Since a lot of the content is the same, Instagram Reels is probably the best choice for a TikTok alternative.
However, given that TikTok’s algorithm is largely unmatched, Instagram Reels may not be able to surface videos that interest you as well as TikTok. However, Instagram has been enhancing the Reels recommendation algorithm over the past few years, so we can expect it to get better over time.
If a TikTok ban becomes a reality, Instagram Reels will likely become the most popular home for short-form video content, as it already largely dominates the social media landscape and hosts most of the same demographics and content types as TikTok.
YouTube clips
YouTube is another platform that has been building and prioritizing TikTok-like products. If you already spend a lot of time on YouTube or like to find new music on TikTok, then YouTube Shorts may be the best TikTok alternative for you, as YouTube Shorts provides access to YouTube's vast library of songs and music videos.
YouTube Shorts has an advantage that no other service on this list has, namely integration with popular long-form video content platforms. Millions of people around the world already go to YouTube every day to watch content, so if TikTok is banned, YouTube may also become the go-to place for short-form content, especially if popular TikTok creators choose it as the new home for their content.
Unfortunately, content on YouTube Shorts is often not as engaging as content on platforms like TikTok or Instagram Reels, as it sometimes contains reposted content from longer YouTube videos. However, you can still search for what you want to see and find videos based on hashtags or keywords.
Snapchat Spotlight
If you're looking for short and entertaining content, Snapchat's Spotlight feed is another viable TikTok alternative. Unlike TikTok and Instagram Reels, Spotlight usually only shows fun and light-hearted videos. You probably won't find political or news content in the feed, which may be a selling point for some users.
Spotlight has a trending section where you can watch trending videos and trending songs based on different topics. Similar to TikTok and Instagram Reels, you can search for content based on keywords and hashtags.
One of the biggest shortcomings of Snapchat Spotlight, however, is that it has struggled to grow beyond younger users. Given that adults are more likely to use platforms like TikTok or Instagram Reels, you might find the content on Spotlight less engaging because it primarily caters to a younger audience.
vibrato
Triller was originally a competitor to TikTok and might be a good choice for people who are primarily interested in the music and dance aspects of TikTok. It's worth noting that Triller has a much smaller user base than TikTok, so content is somewhat limited.
Triller is already considering taking advantage of a potential TikTok ban in the United States. The company recently launched SaveMyTikToks.com, a website that allows TikTok users to save their TikTok videos by transferring them to the Triller platform, encouraging creators to migrate their content to its platform. app.
Additionally, Triller recently hired former TikTok executive Sean Kim as CEO to focus on overhauling the app. Kim previously served as TikTok's product lead from 2019 to 2022, where he was responsible for the “For You” feed, creator monetization, developer platform, third-party integrations, and more. Triller's addition of one of TikTok's top talents could help the platform shape its service into a better-positioned TikTok alternative.
red note
TikTok users in the United States have begun flocking to Chinese short video app Xiaohongshu (known as RedNote in English). Launched in 2013, the app is China's version of Instagram.
The app has a layout similar to Pinterest and has many social shopping features. It provides users with a combination of video and live streaming features. RedNote contains a lot of the content you see on TikTok, such as beauty tutorials and product reviews.
It's unclear whether RedNote will maintain its current interest. It's unclear whether the U.S. government would crack down on the app because of its Chinese ownership if it were able to gain a large U.S. user base.
Lemon 8
In the months leading up to TikTok's ban deadline, the company has been promoting its sister app Lemon8. TikTok also recently started allowing users to access Lemon8 using their TikTok accounts.
The app is similar to Instagram and Pinterest in that it allows people to share slideshows, photo collections, and browse content via “Following” and “For You” feeds. Lemon8 offers creative tools, filters, effects, stickers, text templates, and more.
However, it's worth noting that Lemon8 could be involved in a TikTok ban, especially since lawmakers' main concern with TikTok is its Chinese ownership. Therefore, Lemon8's presence in the United States remains unclear.
like
Likee is a short video application that, in addition to the function of sharing videos, also has editing tools and live broadcast functions. The application has more than 100 million users from all over the world.
Likee has a strong focus on AR filters, similar to Snapchat, and allows creators to use them in videos and live streams. Likee also has an extensive music library, so it may be beneficial for people who use TikTok to find new music.
Additionally, the app has a monetization feature that allows creators to earn money for their content through super likes from fans. However, like other smaller apps on this list, Likee's engagement is somewhat limited as it doesn't have the same reach as TikTok. Of course, this may change over time.
fan base
Fanbase is a subscription-based social network that is essentially a combination of TikTok, Instagram, Patreon, Clubhouse, and Snapchat. The app offers short videos, images, long videos, stories, live streaming, and audio rooms. While the app is free to use, you can pay for a subscription to access exclusive content.
What makes Fanbase a TikTok alternative is the app’s “Flickz” feed. Like TikTok, Flickz includes a feed for discovery and another feed dedicated to content from creators you follow. You can find a variety of content on the Fan Library, including videos about sports, cooking, music, humor, and more.
The app was founded to value and provide a platform for Black creators, whose content is often misappropriated or undervalued on traditional social media platforms. Fanbase is an ad-free platform that promises to never block or suppress content.
Chigazu
Zigazoo is a relatively new short video platform aimed at younger users and may be a good TikTok alternative for children and teenagers. The app offers light-hearted and fun videos and is considered a safer alternative to TikTok as it has no commenting feature and has a strict moderation policy.
The app allows users to browse or create short videos based on challenges or educational prompts. Zigazoo also offers fun dance videos, one of TikTok's most popular content categories. Like TikTok and Instagram Reels, the app includes different video effects, sounds, and filters.
While the app isn't a TikTok alternative for adults, it's a great option for younger users, especially parents who are concerned about TikTok's potential harm to children and teens.
Collected
Favored is a social app powered by a16z that gamifies live streaming. The app allows live streaming creators to interact with their viewers and earn money from their viewers’ virtual gifts. The app also offers a 70/30 revenue split to creators, while TikTok offers a 50/50 split to live-streaming creators.
Collections also allow creators to link their digital stores. However, unlike TikTok, Favorites does not offer a discovery feed to help people find new content.
So far this year, the app has 750,000 users, with thousands of new users signing up every day. Unfortunately, the app doesn't have much of a presence outside of the United States, but of course, that could change.
Final decision
Clapper is a platform that celebrates authentic expression and unfiltered interaction. The app is a short video platform known for limited moderation and may not be suitable for everyone.
Clapper allows you to post videos up to three minutes long. The app is audio-only and allows users to create a 20-speaker room for up to 2,000 listeners. In addition, creators can create communities and interact one-on-one with fans.
The app is ad-free and focuses more on unfiltered content rather than polished content designed to go viral. It includes some video editing features, but they are quite limited compared to what is available on TikTok. Of course, the app's user base is quite small, so social interaction is limited.
fable
Fable is a great app for TikTok users who are part of the social network's reading-focused BookTok community. The app features book clubs where people can discuss the books they are reading, just like on TikTok.
Unfortunately, Fable lacks video capabilities, so it's far from a complete TikTok replacement. Instead, it can provide a way for BookTok creators and community members to continue discussions on another platform.
Neptune
Nepture is an upcoming social network founded by women that promises to put content creators first. The app has started generating buzz on social networks like TikTok and X, with users wondering if it could become the next TikTok. Their hopes aren't random, as Neptune's marketing strategy positions the app as an alternative to TikTok, only better.
A beta version of the app is expected to be released this month or February. The app is expected to be publicly released in the spring.
On Neptune, creators’ content will not be seen because of the algorithm, but for its quality and impact, the company said. The app will also offer customizable content feeds and ghost indicators, which will allow users to try out new ideas without fear of execution pressure.